raTru 

a 0000000000000000000000000000000 

o 


Nl 


No.  2 


ADDITIONAL 

LETTERS 


FROM 


Parents 


OF  FISK  STUDENTS 


AND  FROM 


Alumni 


Together  with 
Certain  Other  Statements 

RELATIVE  TO  THE 

Recent  Disturbance 


AT 


Fisk  University 
February  4,  1925 

*8 


a 

o 

o 

a 

a 

g 

s 

o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

a 

a 

a 

o 

o 

o 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

o 

c 

o 

O 

o 

0 

O 

o 

0 

o 

O 

0 

g 

o 

0 

O 

O 

o 

o 


O 

o 
0 
0 
o 
o 
o 

O 
0 
o 
0 
0 
o 
0 
o 
O 
O 
o 
o 
0 
o 
o 
0 
o 
o 
0 

O OOOOOO  0000000000000000000000000 


g 

g 

O 

0 

O 


PARENTS 


AND 


ALUMNI 


i 


LETTERS  FROM  COLORED  PEOPLE 

All  letters  of  commendation  from  white 
people  have  been  excluded  from  this  pamph- 
let, so  far  as  the  identity  of  the  writers  is 
known. 

[Erratum— In  the  first  pamphlet  the 
letter  of  President  A.  Eugene  Thom- 
son, of  Lincoln  Ridge  Institute,  was 
inadvertently  printed.  President 
Thomson  is  white.] 


GENERAL  ATTENDANCE 

The  comparative  attendance  at  Ftsk,  before 
and  since  the  disturbance,  is  indicated  by  the 
table  below: 


Prior 

Enrollment 

Present 
Enrollment 
(March  12) 

Per  Cent 
o£  Prior 
Enrollment 

College  

291 

164 

56 

High  School 

86 

59 

67 

Elementary  School  . 

65 

65 

100 

Music  only 

58 

56 

97 

500 

344 

64 

The  trend  back  to  normal  is  shown 
further  by  the  fact  that  a considerable  num- 
ber of  other  students  are  making  application 
to  return  for  the  next  and  succeeding  quar- 
ters. 


2415  Dowling  St.,  Houston,  Texas, 
February  22,  1925. 


Dr.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

President  Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Dr.  McKenzie: 

Since  I have  returned  home  from  Fisk  I 
have  visited  and  talked  with  all  of  the  parents 
who  had  children  attending  the  University, 
and  my  opinion  is  that  I have  made  friends 
of  them  for  the  Institution.  I have  succeeded 
in  having  those  who  are  able  agree  to  send 
their  children  back  to  school.  The  following 
pupils  will  be  there  not  later  than  the  begin- 
ning of  the  next  quarter:  Mr.  Wm.  Moore, 
Miss  Harrietta  Mitchell,  Miss  Eulalia  Edwards 
and  Miss  Jennie  Hayes. 

You  may  depend  on  me  to  speak  a good 
word  for  you  and  the  school.  I want  to  hope 
that  you  will  continue  to  stand  by  your  con- 
victions as  regards  the  management  and  ad- 
ministration of  the  affairs  of  the  school.  I 
think  the  ideals  which  have  made  Fisk  famous 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  this 
country  should  stand,  and  should  not  be 
changed  to  satisfy  any  individual  or  group  of 
individuals. 

I am  praying  that  you  will  not  deviate  one 
iota  from  the  position  you  have  held  and  are 
holding.  By  all  means  the  standard  set  by 
Fisk  University  must  not  be  lowered. 

Trusting  that  you  will  continue  to  enjoy 
the  confidence  of  the  best  thinking  element 
of  my  people,  I am, 

Very  sincerely  yours, 

(Signed)  W.  L.  D.  JOHNSON,  SR., 

Father  of  a student. 


3 


Tyler,  Texas, 
February,  1925. 


My  dear  Dr.  McKenzie : 

Your  statement  and  Miss  Scribner’s  letter 
came  today.  I have  been  blue  since  a knowl- 
edge of  the  affair  reached  me  late  last  week. 

Your  statement  and  Miss  Scribner’s  letter 
state  just  what  I told  my  wife  and  children 
was  the  status  of  the  case.  A lot  of  young 
hot-heads  urged  on  by  DuBois’  agitation  lost 
control  of  themselves. 

Knowing  student  life  as  I do,  not  even  my 
own  children  can  swerve  me  the  one-eighth 
of  an  inch  in  line  against  authority. 

As  Alumni  of  the  University  you  have  our 
heartiest  support  and  deepest  sympathy. 
Stand  firm  and  hold  the  reins.  The  storm  will 
blow  over. 

We  are  sympathizingly  yours, 

(Signed)  T.  J.  AUSTIN,  ’85. 
MRS.  T.  J.  AUSTIN,  ’87. 


4 


M.  I.  College,  Holly  Springs,  Miss., 
February  23,  1925. 

President  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

;Fisk  University, 

| Nashville,  Tenn., 

!Dear  President  McKenzie: 

It  grieved  me  to  hear  of  the  disturbance  at 
i Fisk  University. 

Allow  me  to  assure  you  that  you  have  my 
(sympathy. 

I earnestly  trust  that  the  situation  will 
Imean  a brighter  day  for  Fisk  and  that  success 
will  continue  to  crown  your  noble  efforts. 

You  have  my  prayers  and  support  for  the 
! things  which  contribute  glory  and  honor  to 
lear  Fisk’s  name. 

A loyal  alumnus, 

(Signed)  ETHEL  C.  RIVERS,  ’24. 


5 


6 Chestnut  St.,  Atlanta,  Ga., 
February  22,  1925. 

Dr.  Fayette  McKenzie, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Sir: 

I have  received  from  your  office,  very  re- 
cently, clippings  from  the  local  newspapers 
there  telling  the  incident  which  occurred  there 
February  4.  I also  received  letters  from  your 
office  written  by  various  leading  officials  and 
from  the  Vice-Chairman  of  the  Institution. 

I feel  very  sorry  that  such  came  about.  I 
am  in  sympathy  with  you  in  such  a time  as 
you  have  had.  These  unfortunate  outbreaks 
occur  in  many  other  places.  Although  we 
are  all  sorry,  it  may  be  for  the  best  after  all. 
God  suffers  his  followers  to  experience  such 
evils,  sometimes  on  account  of  the  guilty  one. 
You  have  my  deepest  sympathy  and  continued 
prayers. 

My  child  remained.  I hope  she  will  al- 
ways, until  she  graduates,  be  under  the  watch- 
care  of  a Christian  Institution,  Fisk  Univer- 
sity. 


Very  respectfully, 

(Signed)  MARY  M.  GRIMES, 
Teacher  in  Atlanta  Public  Schools,  and  mother 
of  a student. 


Tampa,  Florida, 
February  21,  1925. 

My  dear  Dr.  McKenzie : 

Having  carefully  read  the  several  communi- 
cations sent  me  from  your  office  setting  forth 
the  high  ideals  for  which  Fisk  University  has 
always  stood  and  from  which  I pray  God  she 
may  never  waver,  I cannot,  for  the  life  of 
me,  see  wherein  such  regulations  (than  which 
I can  conceive  of  none  more  ennobling)  could 
in  the  remotest  manner  justify  the  recent  de- 
plorable action  taken  by  some  members  of 
the  student  body — misguided  irresponsible 
youths — who  have  no  conception  of  the  far- 
reaching  and  destructive  consequences  of  their 
acts.  I wish  to  assure  you  that  I am  more 
than  ever  (if  it  is  possible  for  me  to 
be  so)  in  absolute  accord  with  the  great 
principles  for  which  Fisk  University  stands, 
which  principles  are  solely  responsible  for 
her  leadership  among  similar  educational 
institutions  throughout  this  Southland.  I 
am  in  sympathy  and  hearty  accord  with 
your  determination  to  perpetuate  these 
principles.  It  was  because  of  the  lofty  ideals, 
its  thorough  training  in  intellectual  and  moral 
excellence,  that  I selected  Fisk  University  as 
the  place  for  my  daughter’s  education.  I can- 
not tell  you  how  deeply  I regretted  her  ill- 
advised  departure.  Had  I one-tenth  the  in- 
formation as  to  the  cause  of  her  urgent  tele- 
gram for  transportation  home  as  I have  now, 
she  would  have  remained.  I trust,  however, 
that  her  place  at  Fisk  will  be  reserved  for  her 
in  October,  1925,  for  she  shall  return.  She 
is  completing  the  term  at  Daytona  Cookman 
Collegiate  Institute,  Daytona,  Florida.  It  is 
my  earnest  hope  that  you  may  not  falter  or 
in  the  least  become  discouraged  in  upholding 
and  perpetuating  the  Fisk  standard,  in  doing 
which  I am  sure  you  shall  have  the  endorse- 
ment— the  God-speed  of  all  right-thinking 
patrons  and  friends  of  Fisk — the  South’s  pre- 
mier institution  for  the  higher  education  of 
the  Negro. 

You  are  fighting  for  a righteous  cause;  you 
are  defending  the  institution  against  insub- 
ordination, student  rule,  control  of  dictation, 
whichever  designation  seems  most  applicable 
but  either  of  which  means  disaster. 

Finally,  I would  commend  for  your  encour- 
agement at  this  time  a perusal  or  recollection 
of  Rudyard  Kipling’s  “If.” 

Yours  very  truly, 

(Signed)  J.  A.  BUTLER. 

(J.  A.  Butler,  M.D.,  office  1404  1-2  Central 
Ave.;  residence  1312  Marion  St.,  Tampa,  Flor- 
ida.) 

Father  of  a student. 

7 


709  N.  Central  Ave.,  Okmulgee,  Okla, 
February  21,  1925. 

Dr.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn., 

Dear  Dr.  McKenzie: 

I did  not  realize  just  how  serious  the  out- 
break among  the  students  was,  until  I re- 
ceived clippings  and  letters  from  Tennessee 
friends  some  days  ago. 

I was  terribly  upset  and  very  much  grieved 
to  think  that  at  this  time  of  all  others  in  the 
history  of  the  school,  a riot  should  occur.  At 
this  time — when  a million-dollar  endowment 
had  been  completed.  At  this  time — when 
plans  for  enlarging  the  plant  had  been  sub- 
mitted. At  this  time — when  the  thing  that 
the  founders,  faculty  and  all  true-hearted 
alumni  and  former  students  had  prayed  for 
had  been  consummated:  viz.,  recognition  as 
a class  “A”  college. 

I have  been  hearing  from  time  to  time  dur- 
ing the  last  few  years  that  many  of  the  stu- 
dents who  were  coming  did  not  have  the  Fisk 
spirit;  that  they  were  restless  and  did  not  take 
kindly  to  such  restraint  and  discipline  as  was 
necessary  to  develop  in  them  the  highest 
ideals  of  manhood  and  womanhood.  I had 
been  wondering  if  they  were  worthy  of  the 
many  advantages  coming  to  them;  if  they 
would  prove  in  after  life  a credit  to  their 
Alma  Mater. 

The  outbreak  of  February  4,  answers  in 
thundering  tones,  “No” 

I was  afraid  you  might  become  discouraged 
or  disgusted  and  resign  just  at  a time  when 
no  living  man  can  do  for  the  school  what  you 
through  God’s  help  can  do.  No  living  man 
has  the  vision  for  this  particular  school  as 
you  have  it. 

Let  me  digress  here,  to  say  that  whatever 
of  good  I have  been  enabled  to  accomplish 
in  life,  whatever  principles  of  noble  woman- 
hood have  been  inculcated  in  my  daughter, 
Elaine  Nixon  Busch,  have  been  in  a very  large 
measure  due  to  the  training  and  high  ideals 
we  received  while  in  Fisk. 


8 


Last  Sunday  morning  my  pastor  in  his  ser- 
mon told  the  story  of  Gideon  and  the  reduc- 
tion of  his  army  in  order  that  he  might  over- 
come the  Midianites.  You  know  the  story. 
It  came  to  me,  Dr.  McKenzie,  that  his  mes- 
sage was  given  to  me  to  give  to  you.  Be 
strong!  Be  steadfast!  Kno-^  that  there  are 
still  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  this 
country  the  faithful  “three  hundred”  who  are 
with  you  and  the  principles  for  which  you  are 
fighting.  The  class  of  students  who  remained, 
the  class  of  students  who  will  come  will  know 
that  law  and  order,  and  good  conduct  will  be 
demanded  of  them.  The  parents  who  send 
their  children  will  know  that  the  children  are 
getting  the  kind  of  training  that  will  make 
good  men  and  women  and  law-abiding  citi- 
zens of  them.  The  agitators  and  knockers 
will  know  that  “God  is  God  and  right  is  right, 
and  right  the  day  will  win”;  and,  for  a while 
at  least,  they  will  stop  trying  to  misguide  the 
impressionable  minds  of  the  youth  who  come 
to  Fisk.  A greater  Fisk  will  rise  Phoenix-like 
from  the  ashes  of  this  disorder  and  riot,  be- 
cause only  the  true  and  tried  will  remain; 
only  those  desiring  good  government  will  be 
sent,  and  they,  working  with  you  and  faculty, 
will  make  the  school  what  you  would  have  it 
be. 

I have  not  said  one-tenth  of  what  I’d  like 
to  say,  but  I must  stop. 

Although  this  letter  is  rambling,  take  it  for 
the  meaning  in  it,  which  is:  that  I am  with 
you  first,  last  and  always  for  upholding  the 
Fisk  ideals. 

God  bless  you. 

(Signed)  MARIA  BENSON  NIXON,  ’88. 


» 


W.  M.  McGHEE 

BRIGADIER  GENERAL  COMMANDING 
Jurisdiction,  State  of  South  Carolina 
U.  R.  K.  of  P. 

1107  Fairfield  St. 


Aiken,  S.  C. 

February  20,  1925. 

President  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  President  McKenzie: 

I received  the  letter  and  the  statement 
made  to  you  from  the  different  patrons  of 
Fisk  University,  expressing  their  views  about 
the  trouble  that  occurred  on  the  Fisk  campus, 
on  the  4th  inst.  I regret  very  much  that  such 
things  did  happen,  and  we  are  very  much  in 
sympathy  with  you  in  the  matter,  knowing 
how  hot-headed  students  will  get  at  times 
especially  when  they  are  being  influenced 
from  outside  sources.  Our  attitude  in  the 
matter  was  clearly  shown,  and  demonstrated 
to  this  extent,  when  our  daughter  Beatrice 
wrote  us  about  the  affair  we  did  not  become 
alarmed  at  all,  but  in  order  for  us  to  get  the 
facts  in  the  case  Mrs.  McGhee  thought  it  best 
to  go  and  see  for  ourselves,  and  we  would 
know.  This  she  did  and  to  show  that  we  had 
no  intentions  of  removing  our  daughter  from 
the  school,  for  that  reason  my  wife  made  it 
convenient  to  see  you  and  get  your  permis- 
sion to  let  our  daughter,  Beatrice,  come  home 
for  a few  days,  as  was  advised  by  the  doctor, 
so  as  to  avoid  a nervous  breakdown,  and  you 
willingly  gave  your  consent.  She  has  re- 
turned and  will  be  on  the  campus  ready  to 
continue  her  studies. 

We  indeed  thank  you  so  much  for  the  con- 
sideration. We  are  satisfied  that  conditions 
in  and  around  Fisk  University  will  soon  work 
out  all  right.  And  for  that  very  high  stand- 
ing that  you  have  placed  Fisk  University  in 
for  the  past  ten  years  under  your  adminis- 
tration, it  will  be  impossible  for  your  good 
work  to  be  blotted  out. 

This  is  shown  very  clearly  in  all  Fisk  stu- 
dents. She  cannot  fail.  While  some  of  your 
old  students  may  not  return  this  will  be  to 
their  detriment,  and  simply  shows  a severe 


10 


case  of  insubordination  on  the  part  of  certain 
students  which  in  the  end  will  prove  to  be  a 
very  great  hindrance  to  the  students  that  re- 
belled. So  we  are  in  deep  sympathy  with  the 
president  in  this  trouble,  and  you  also  have 
my  prayers  and  hearty  co-operation,  and  let 
me  remind  you,  sir,  of  the  encouraging  words 
that  were  spoken  to  Elijah  on  one  occasion, 
“Take  courage,  they  that  be  for  you  are  more 
than  them  that  be  against  you,”  and  there  are 
thousands  left  yet  who  are  clamoring  for  a 
higher  education  such  as  is  being  taught  at 
Fisk  University,  and  be  ye  assured  that  we 
as  parents  are  teaching  our  children  to  be  law- 
abiding  and  to  always  obey  the  laws  of  the 
school. 

With  best  wishes  for  your  success,  I am 

Very  respectfully, 

(Signed)  W.  M.  McGHEE. 


718  Royal  St., 
Baton  Rouge,  La. 
February  22,  1925. 

)r.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

)ear  Sir: 

After  reading  the  letters  which  you  so  kindly 
ent  me,  I now  realize  the  situation  which  ex- 
sted  at  Fisk  during  the  time  of  the  students’ 
ebellion. 

Will  you  oblige  me  by  permitting  my  son  to 
e-enter  school  next  quarter,  March  20,  1925? 

Sincerely, 

(Signed)  W.  H.  PATTERSON. 

Father  of  a student. 


li 


ovud  oalii  vox  i > ni:  (Sldttoi 
ltd  line  ,:to;Jni9qu-o-j  M u 


RIVERVIEW  HIGH  SCHOOL 
JOHN  H.  DAVIS,  Principal. 

R.  F.  D.  No.  1,  Box  85, 
Sylva,  N.  C. 
Feb.  24,  1925 

Dr.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 


My  dear  Sir: 

Am  quite  gratified  in  reading  some  duplicate 
letters  of  interest  in  regard  to  your  school. 


I am  yearning  deeply  within,  with  intense 
interest  that  co-operation  and  tranquility  may 
soon  exist  as  in  the  past  and  the  strides  of 
your  great  institution  of  learning  may  tend 
onward  and  upward. 

You  have  my  deepest  sympathy  and  co- 
operation as  far  as  it  is  within  my  power  to 
serve  as  a patron. 

My  son  did  not  leave  your  school  with  the 
spirit  of  rebellion,  but  of  fear.  He  wishes  to 
return.  But  I cannot  send  him  back  until  the 
fall  term. 

I wish  you  to  consider  his  application  for 
admission  at  this  time. 

Yours  sincerely, 

(Signed)  JOHN  H.  DAVIS. 


P.  S.  My  permanent  address  is  now  Sylva, 
N.  C.  I have  charge  of  the  Jackson  Co.  Colored 
Consolidated  School  here. 

(Signed)  JOHN  H.  DAVIS. 

Father  of  a student. 


12 


TKyd 


kx.sT  ,39m9^ 


vn'i 


>1/1 


luov  anii>B-Ji  -toIIk  fnrD  !;oy  anoln:  Uiw  sir:'!’ 

507  E.  Main  St., 
McMinnville,  Tenn. 

Feb.  22,  1925. 

Dr.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Dr.  McKenzie: 

The  ti’ouble  at  dear  old  Fisk  has  shocked 
our  little  community  to  a great  extent.  We 
are  sorry  as  a whole.  Of  course  individually 
it  has  been  grievous  to  several.  It  has  hurt  me 
to  think  that  there  are  those  who  would  try 
to  tear  down  the  great  work  which  you  have 
pushed  forward  with  such  untiring  energy. 

Some  of  the  students  are  being  swayed  by 
others  instead  of  following  their  own  minds, 
but  I am  glad  that  our  girl,  Miss  Clara  Young, 
has  had  the  courage  to  stand  out  and  say  the 
actions  of  the  students  are  wrong. 

Somehow  I don’t  feel  that  God  will  suffer 
Fisk  to  lose  its  prestige.  The  work  of  the 
Craveths,  White,  Spence,  Gates,  Merrill, 
Wrights,  Morrows,  down  to  the  present  admin- 
istration with  your  co-workers  cannot  sink  be- 
low the  horizon. 

There  are  many  who  think  you  are  right. 
We  hope  you  will  not  give  up  the  reins  at  this 
time.  . 

I hope  the  situation  will  clear  up  favor- 
ably and  all  will  yet  be  well.  We  have  two 
girls  from  our  school  planning  to  come  to  Fisk 
next  year.  I am  sure  there  are  others  making 
plans  likewise. 

I pray  God’s  guidance  and  mercy  and  may 
all  yet  be  well  for  the  Fisk  we  love. 

Sincerely, 

(Signed)  BESSIE  T.  GWYNN,  (’ll). 


13 


Kernes,  Texas, 
Route  3,  Box  62 

President  McKenzie, 

Dear  Sir: 

This  will  inform  you  that  after  reading  your 
communication  of  a few  days  ago,  I found  out 
that  you  were  right  and  I highly  commend  the 
stand  that  you  have  taken  to  raise  the  Uni- 
versity to  a higher  standard. 

I am  sending  my  boy  back  to  school  to  stay 
and  abide  by  all  rules  and  regulations  of  the 
institution.  The  only  reason  he  gave  me:  he 
got  scared.  I want  him  to  be  loyal  to  the  In- 
stitution and  take  no  part  with  rebels  or  dis- 
gruntles. 

You  may  rest  assured  that  you  will  have  my 
support  for  the  noble  stand  that  you  have 
taken. 

Success  for  your  future  administration. 

Your  loyal  friend, 

(Signed)  P.  J.  WALKER. 


410  Brush  St., 
Carbondale,  Illinois, 
Feb.  22,  1925. 

Dr.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Dr.  McKenzie: 

I have  read  with  much  concern  of  the  dis- 
turbance at  Fisk  this  school  year.  Because  of 
my  attitude  toward  the  University  and  your 
principles  which  I believe,  on  the  whole,  to  be 
adequate  and  right,  I welcomed  your  letter  of 
recent  date. 

Certainly  I regret  the  disturbance,  but  ap- 
preciate the  fact  that  out  of  it  shall  come  the 
revelation  of  the  finer  motives  for  which  you 
stand. 

Count  on  me,  Sir,  as  a stand-patter  for  the 
school. 

Yours  truly, 

(Signed)  CHAS.  0.  ROGERS,  ’24. 


14 


Box  156, 
Marshall,  Texas, 
Feb.  22,  1925. 

President  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

My  dear  Sir: 

The  letter  of  Miss  Dora  A.  Scribner,  to  hand, 
and  contents  noted.  I was  out  of  the  city,  as 
I am  principal  of  a school,  when  the  letter 
came.  I have  read,  and  reread,  the  general 
statement  made  by  you.  I indorse  your  action 
in  full.  As  I see  it  you  are  to  dear  old  Fisk 
what  President  A.  Jackson  was  to  South  Car- 
olina, when  she  passed  the  “Nullification  Ordi- 
nance.” President  Jackson  told  the  people  that 
it  was  his  duty  to  enforce  the  laws  of  the 
Union,  and  this  he  intended  to  do  at  any  cost. 

After  having  received  the  telephone  message 
from  Livingstone  Hall,  I am  proud,  sir,  your 
military  instinct  was  roused,  and  that  you 
said  the  laws  of  old  Fisk  must  be  obeyed,  and 
that  you  intended  to  stop  the  riot  at  any  cost 
and  did  stop  it. 

Nothing  succeeds  like  success.  I am  glad 
to  note  that  the  school  is  getting  back  to  nor- 
malcy. 

Vive  le  President  McKenzie.  Vive  la  Alma 
Mater. 

Very  sincerely  yours, 

(Signed)  N.  T.  MITCHELL,  ’83. 


;•! 1 ■ noaJoIli 1 


15 


Tillotson  College, 
Austin,  Texas, 
February  22,  1925. 

Pres.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Dr.  McKenzie: 

I wish  to  thank  you  for  the  sympathetic  let- 
ter and  a copy  of  the  chapel  talk  you  sent  which 
with  the  clippings  from  the  Tennessee  paper 
that  my  son  sent  made  me  understand  the 
situation  more  clearly. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  students  in  a school 
with  such  advantages  as  Fisk  would  commit 
such  lawless  acts. 

The  rules  and  regulations  of  Fisk  are  en- 
tirely satisfactory  to  me,  and  those  who  are 
not  satisfied  should  go  elsewhere.  I am  glad 
my  son  has  returned  to  school  and  I hope  he 

will  always  remain  loyal. 

. • 

The  Great  God  has  a motive  for  performing 
all  of  his  acts.  In  this  instance  his  motive 
was  to  remove  all  of  the  undesirable  students. 
I hope  to  have  a daughter  under  your  admin- 
istration very  soon. 

With  my  sympathy,  I hope  for  your  success. 

amli  si  ov i 7 .oisnodoU.  frwbiaoi'l  »!  o yiV 

Very  sincerely  yours, 

(Signed)  MRS.  L.  STANLEY. 


3 II  ’ 


is 


Office  of 

MRS.  MARY  N.  JONES, 

Grand  Worthy  Counselor, 

Order  of  Calanthe,  Knights  of  Pythias, 
Jurisdiction  of  Georgia. 

1636  Fifteenth  Street. 

Augusta,  Ga. 

February  20,  1925. 

Pres.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Sir: 

Your  statements  of  the  13th  inst.  received 
and  read  with  care.  At  the  end  I found  no 
suggestion  made  for  a reply,  but  I feel  that  it 
would  be  a lack  of  courtesy,  on  my  part,  to 
remain  silent  at  such  a crucial  moment.  I 
had  read  of  the  catastrophe  before;  fiut  I had 
read  nothing  coming  from  such  a reliable 
source  as  this. 

I can  only  say  that  I am  sorry;  I am  deeply 
grieved;  adequate  words  are  not  at  my  com- 
mand with  which  to  express  the  deep  feeling 
that  envelops  my  soul  and  body;  and  my  head 
is  bowed  as  with  a huge  force  pressing  it 
down. 

I sympathize  with  you  and  with  all  con- 
cerned. I believe,  with  my  whole  heart,  that 
you  did  what  you  thought  was  best  in  the 
crisis.  God  only  knows'  what  is  best  at  all 
times.  I trust  God  will  continue  to  lead  and 
guide  you  and  that  all  will  be  well  in  the  end. 

I am  as  ever  yours, 

(Signed  MARY  K.  COOK,  N.  ’ll. 


17 


Salina,  Kansas, 
February  24,  1925. 

Dear  Professor: 

Yours  to  hand,  contents  noted  with  care. 

I regret  very  much  to  hear  of  the  situation 
at  the  university,  the  boys  had  become  re- 
bellious, and  destroying  the  property  of  the 
school.  There  was  not  any  other  course  for 
you  but  the  one  you  did  take. 

I do  hope  it  will  be  settled  without  serious 
damage  to  the  school.  I endorse  your  course. 

If  anyone  had  used  their  influence  in  work- 
ing the  students  up  to  such  a spirit  and  caused 
them  to  rebel  against  the  school  administra- 
tion, he  or.  she  was  absolutely  wrong.  From  a 
letter  I received  a few  days  before  I received 
yours,  I think  I see  who  it  is  that  is  largely  to 
blame  for  the  trouble. 

I would  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  soon  in 
regard  to  the  situation.  You  have  my  sym- 
pathy and  best  wishes. 

Yours  truly, 

(Signed)  JAMES  DePRIEST,  N.  ’77. 

P.  S. — It  does  not  matter  what  their  griev- 
ance was,  they  are  not  justified  in  destroying 
the  school  property. 

J.  D. 


18 


3203  12th  St., 
Meridian,  Miss., 
Feb.  24,  1925. 

Dear  Miss  Scribner: 

I apppreciate  so  much  the  information 
given  in  your  letter  regarding  the  real  facts 
in  the  case  about  Fisk.  Somehow  I just 
couldn’t  believe  the  facts  as  given  by  the 
newspapers. 

I give  my  note  of  confidence  in  Dr.  Mc- 
Kenzie and  in  speaking  for  myself  I can  say 
that  I have  always  believed  in  him. 

I was  fortunate  in  being  able  to  get  a copy 
of  the  Nashville  Globe  and  I decided  that 
from  the  account  given,  all  statements  were 
not  true  to  fact.  So  many  questions  have 
come  to  mind  since  the  outburst  that  I seem 
to  be  able  to  think  of  nothing  else  but  seek 
to  find  answers. 

It  seems  to  me  that  no  person  of  intelli- 
gence would  raise  his  voice  against  Dr.  Mc- 
Kenzie and  the  work  he  has  done  for  the 
cause  of  higher  education  among  my  people. 
I have  only  words  of  praise  and  commenda- 
tion for  him. 

I shall  always  oppose  any  propaganda  used 
against  Fisk  and  those  who  have  affairs  in 
charge.  Even  though  I regret  that  such  vio- 
lence was  used  in  the  outbreak,  I feel  that  it 
can  quickly  be  forgotten.  Remembering  that 
such  set-backs  are  only  temporary,  I take 
hope. 

The  majority  of  the  members  of  the  great 
Fisk  family  are  behind  the  present  administra- 
tion. The  misguided  are  in  the  minority. 

Yours  truly, 

(Signed)  H.  N.  MONTGOMERY,  ’20. 


19 


Tuskegee  Institute,  Ala. 

March  2,  1925. 

Dr.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Dr.  McKenzie: 

I regretted  very  much  to  hear  of  the  trou- 
ble you  have  had  at  Fisk.  Immediately  after 
the  outbreak,  I relied  on  my  daughter  for  in- 
formation concerning  it.  I did  not  give  her 
any  advice  as  to  how  she  should  act  during  the 
disturbance.  She  stood  with  the  Administra- 
tion and  I heartily  endorse  her  actions  and 
those  of  any  other  girl  in  Jubilee  Hall  who 
stood  with  the  Administration. 

The  outbreak,  the  spirit  of  the  men  who 
instigated  it,  and  the  results  which  followed, 
are  to  be  greatly  regretted,  but  as  regrettable 
as  these  are,  it  would  have  been  better  for 
you  to  have  stopped  it  as  you  did  rather  than 
to  have  it  reach  Jubilee  Hall.  Who  could  say 
what  would  have  happened  or  what  would  not 
have  happened  had  that  rebellious  crowd  gone 
into  Jubilee  Hall  after  ten  o’clock  at  night — 
doors  open,  lights  out,  and  any  and  all  the 
boys  who  wanted  to,  go  into  Jubilee  Hall,  thus 
leaving  the  girls  with  no  other  protection  than 
a mob  spirit.  Let  us  thank  God  that  they 
did  not  get  to  Jubilee  Hall. 

You  have  my  sympathy,  and  I think  with 
the  dissatisfied  element  removed,  Fisk  will 
move  on  as  rapidly  as  it  did  before. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

(Signed)  L.  J.  WATKINS,  ’93. 

(Father  of  a student.) 


20 


Released  to  the  Negro  Associated  Press  by  a 
Fisk  Graduate  and  published  in  The  Pittsburgh 
American  and  the  Guard  (Texas). 

I shall  appreciate  very  much  having  you  re- 
lease the  following  article  to  all  members  of 
your  association.  I am  far  from  being  a man 
of  money,  but  if  there  are  any  reasonable 
charges  for  this  service,  I shall  be  glad  to  pay. 

To  Every  Fiskite;  to  Every  Colored  Person  of 
America: 

A number  of  years  ago,  the  National  Asso- 
ciation for  the  advancement  of  colored  people 
was  organized  for  a number  of  specific  pur- 
poses, which  we  ai'e  very  well  acquainted  with. 

One  of  the  greatest  fights  being  waged  by 
the  N.  A.  A.  C.  P.  toward  the  realization  of 
its  aims  has  been  and  is  its  fight  against  mob 
violence  and  lynching.  The  best  men  of  both 
the  black  and  white  races  of  our  country  have 
lined  up  in  support  of  this  great  organiza- 
tion because  of  its  aims;  aims  which  would  be 
not  only  for  the  benefit  of  colored  America, 
out  for  all  America.  These  men  have  fought 
mob  violence  and  are  still  fighting  it.  The 
Dyer  Anti-Lynching  Bill  gives  evidence  of 
what  the  best  whites  think  about  mob  violence 
and  the  support  it  has  received  from  the  col- 
ored people,  certainly  expresses  their  view. 
All  of  us  are  in  agreement  when  it  comes  to  the 
question  of  the  suppression  of  mob  violence 
and  lynching,  but  what  are  we  doing  to  help 
those  who  are  fighting  it?  Each  has  his  way 
of  rendering  this  co-operation.  Some  give 
money,  some  give  moral  support  and  some  give 
active  service.  Any  one  of  the  three  is  as 
important  as  the  other.  The  three  must  go 
together  or  the  battle  is  lost.  All  great  and 
relatively  permanent  changes  in  history  bear 
this  out.  All  of  us  know  this  thoroughly. 

Now  I come  to  the  point  which  I am  con- 
vinced is  the  point  which  all  of  us  must  up- 
hold and  actively  support,  regardless  as  to 
whether  we  are  giving  our  money,  our  moral 
support  or  our  active  service.  We,  ourselves, 
must  exert  every  ounce  of  mental,  physical 
and  moral  energy  within  our  -bodies  and  souls 
to  prevent  mob  violence  among  ourselves. 
What  am  I talking  about?  Just  go  back  to 
June  2,  1924  at  8:00  P.M. — to  Fisk  Univer- 
sity— to  Memorial  Chapel — and  you  will  have 
the  answer  to  the  question,  “What  am  I talk- 
ing about?”  If  you  don’t  know,  it  will  pay 


21 


you  to  find  out  what  happened  then.  Let  it 
be  enough  for  me  to  say  that  an  address  was 
supposed  to  have  been  given  by  one  of  our  best 
educated  men,  but  instead  we  heard  a cunning, 
ill-timed  talk  charged  to  the  brim  with  true  or 
false  statements,  which  would  prey  upon  the 
weak  and  radical-tending  minds  of  certain  stu- 
dents and  henchmen,  who  were  to  “go  forth 
and  declare  to  the  world  that  the  deliverer 
was  at  hand.”  What  was  the  result  of  that 
night  of  June  2,  1924,  at  Fisk  University? 
The  result,  or  the  beginning  of  the  result,  took 
place  several  days  ago — at  Fisk — a disgrace 
to  the  students  of  Fisk — to  clear-minded  col- 
ored students  everywhere — to  those  men  and 
women,  black  and  white,  who  are  continually 
fighting  mob  violence.  You  know  what  hap- 
pened several  days  ago  at  Fisk.  It  was  pub- 
lished by  the  white  papers — on  the  front  page. 
Students  of  an  institution  of  higher  learning — 
students  who  really  condemn  mob  violence — 
students  who  are  supposed  to  be  far  enough 
advanced  to  think  for  themselves  are  reported 
to  have  taken  part  in  a mob  demonstration — 
to  have  permitted  their  minds  and  bodies  to 
become  poisoned  by  henchmen  working  for 
“the  power  behind  the  throne,”  who  now  sits 
comfortably  in  “his”  home,  while  some  little 
weak-minded  students  sit  in  jail.  Wake  up  stu- 
dents of  Fisk — colored  students  everywhere — 
colored  men  and  women  everywnere — for  the 
sake  of  the  race  and  its  advancement  don’t  al- 
low your  minds  to  fall  prey  to  the  wiles  and 
radicalism  of  those  of  our  group  who  are 
“supposed  to  be”  leaders.  Think  it  out  for 
yourselves.  Don’t  be  a subscriber  to  those 
false  ideals  being  broadcasted  by  certain  peo- 
ple through  their  henchmen— the  false  ideals 
that  put  Russia  in  the  condition  which  it  is 
in  today.  Don’t  put  to  naught,  by  participat- 
ing in  mob  demonstrations,  the  fight  good  men 
of  our  race  and  good  men  of  the  whites  are 
fighting.  If  you  have  a fight  to  make,  fight 
it  out  like  intelligent,  clear-minded  men — not  ‘ 
like  ignorant,  weak-minded,  bloodthirsty  reds. 

If  you  don’t,  you’re  sure  to  bring  destruction 
upon  all  of  us.  I repeat,  for  the  sake  of  the 
race  and  its  advancement,  don’t  fall  prey  to 
that  radicalism  coming  from  a certain  source 
which  you  know  as  well  as  I do. 

I guess  you  wonder  why  I write  this.  It  is 
because  I am  a Fiskite — a graduate  of  1924 — 
and  uncompromisingly  against  mob  demonstra- 
tions, and  the  causes,  by  all  people  at  all  times. 

I know  what  Fisk  has  come  through  during 
the  past  ten  or  fifteen  years — in  fact,  since 
its  beginning — and  I know  it  now  has  a mil- 
lion dollar  endowment  fund.  I realize  also 


22 


that  no  man  is  capable  of  taking  an  institu- 
tion which  is  all  but  “sucked-in”  by  debt  and 
within  the  short  space  of  ten  years  bless  it 
with  an  endowment  fund  of  one  million  dol- 
lars and  at  the  same  time  run  things  100  per 
cent  according  to  the  wishes  of  all  people.  In- 
finite power  is  necessary  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  this  and  no  man — even  though  cer- 
tain people  think  certain  men  should  have  it, 
has  infinite  power.  Man’s  mind  is  finite  and 
must  be  satisfied  with  finite  accomplishments. 
Therefore,  Fiskites,  and  all  colored  men  and 
women,  let  us  rejoice  over  the  “Million  Dol- 
lars” and  see  what  the  next  few  years  will 
bring. 

WILBUR  H.  TARVER,  ’24 
Box  152,  Parmele,  N.  C. 


Savannah,  Ga., 
February  22,  1925. 

My  dear  Miss  Scribner: 

I was  very  glad  to  receive  your  letter  giv- 
ing the  desired  information  that  all  persons 
related  to  Fisk  waited  to  hear. 

I have  regretted  that  our  family  affairs  had 
to  come  to  the  public  in  such  a manner. 

I earnestly  trust  that  in  a very  short  time, 
conditions  will  be  adjusted  to  the  satisfaction 
of  all  concerned  and  that  the  union  will  be 
stronger. 

Remember  me  to  all  and  remember  I am 
for  Fisk  in  storm  as  well  as  in  peace,  or  even 
more  so.  There  is  always  a time  to  show  our 
love  and  appreciation — if  not  in  time  of 
trouble,  when? 

Very  sincerely, 

(Signed)  CORNELIA  O.  McDOWELL, 

(H.  Ec.  ’15) 


Dudley,  N.  C. 

February  20,  1925. 

My  dear  Miss  Scribner: 

We  only  heard,  through  your  letter,  of  the 
sad  and  serious  condition  of  affairs  in  and 
at  Fisk.  Our  hearts  are  filled  with  sorrow. 

Fifty-two  years  ago,  1873,  I entered  our 
Dear  Old  Fisk,  then  in  the  soldiers  barracks. 
I selected  Fisk  because  I desired  to  attend 
a school  whose  motto  was,  as  I understood 
it:  “Let  all  things  be  done  decently  and  in 
order.”  If  I had  desired  it,  I am  sure,  I could 
have  secured  a free  scholarship  in  a state 
school,  university  so-called.  But  when  I heard 
of  the  rowdyism,  near-riot  condition  there, 
though  not  a professing  Christian  then,  Fisk 
was  my  choice. 

We,  my  wife  and  I,  have  no  respect,  (and 
this  was  our  attitude  throughout  our  student 
life  in  Fisk),  for  young  men  or  women  who 
enter  Fisk  or  any  other  school  knowing  the 
rules  and  regulations,  and  then  wilfully  dis- 
regard or  disobey  them. 

The  negro’s  best  asset  in  the  present  age  is 
found  in  law  and  order  based  on  Christian 
Love.  As  to:  “Before  I’d  be  a slave,”  we  re- 
joice that  we  are  accounted  worthy  to  be  the 
bond-slaves  of  our  Master,  Jesus  Christ. 

Assuring  you  that  we  support  President  Mc- 
Kenzie’s administration,  because  we  believe  it 
is  what  our  and  all  young  people  need  to- 
day. 

We  are, 

Faithfully  yours, 

(Signed)  B.  F.  and  MRS.  OUSLEY,  ’81  & ’83. 


24 


Joseph  Keasby  Brick  School, 
Bricks,  North  Carolina, 
February  21,  1925. 


Miss  D.  A.  Scribner, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Miss  Scribner: 

We  are  grieved  over  the  situation  at  Fisk 
but  are  not  downhearted.  Our  confidence  in 
Dr.  McKenzie’s  administration  is  immeasur- 
ably strengthened. 

We  are  looking  to  a greater  FISK.  There  is 
still  “rapture  of  the  forward  view.” 

Yours  sincerely, 

(Signed)  JOHN  H.  GORDON  ’16, 
JULIA  I.  GORDON  ’17. 


25 


Box  156,  Marshall,  Texas, 
February  23,  1925. 

Miss  Dora  A.  Scribner, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Friend : 

I do  not  believe  there  is  a colored  man  liv- 
ing that  could  have  done  for  dear  old  Fisk 
what  President  McKenzie  has  done.  All  honor 
to  him,  and  for  himself  and  Fisk,  he  is  build- 
ing a monument  more  durable  than  bronze, 
and  more  sublime  than  the  regal  elevation  of 
the  pyramids,  which  neither  the  change  of 
seasons  or  the  flight  of  time  will  be  able  to 
destroy. 

I am  preaching  and  teaching,  and  as  a result 
I come  in  contact  with  the  agitator  and  the 
place-hunter.  There  was  a man  here  that 
wanted  the  place  that  I hold.  When  he  had 
been  in  the  community,  I could  tell  it  from 
the  action  of  some  of  the  students.  Some  of 
the  students  disobeyed  the  rules  of  the  school. 
I attempted  to  counsel  them.  They  would  not 
heed  my  advice.  I suspended  them  at  once. 
A jumping  or  a fence-breaking  cow  will  ruin 
a herd.  President  McKenzie  has  more  pa- 
tience than  I have.  However,  he  was  trying 
to  save  those  that  knew  not  what  they  did. 
There  is  a time  with  my  group  when  forbear- 
ance ceases  to  be  a virtue.  Yes,  we  will  stand 
by  the  president.  The  poet  says: 

“Be  still,  sad  heart,  and  cease  repining, 
Behind  the  cloud  is  the  sun  still  shining.” 

This  very  upheaval  may  bring  into  lime- 
light the  agitators,  and  the  world  may  get 
to  see  the  ones  that  have  been  throwing  the 
rocks  and  hiding  their  hands. 

The  Negro  college  is  on  trial.  And  in  the 
language  of  the  immortal  Lincoln  “It  will  not 
do  to  trade  horses  while  we  are  crossing  a 
stream.” 

This  bunch  of  disgruntled  and  dissatisfied 
would-be  leaders  has  had  a movement  on  some 
time  to  discredit  the  work  of  President  Mc- 
Kenzie. The  Lord  is  not  in  their  plan.  A 
greater  Fisk  will  come  forth.  The  president 
has  been  weighed  in  the  balances,  and  not 
found  wanting.  The  war  is  on,  fight  to  a 
finish,  pay  but  little  attention  to  flags  of 
truce  and  gifts,  for  the  reason  they  may  con- 
tain a Trojan  horse. 

I am  a 100  per  cent  Fiskite.  If  you  think  I 
can  serve  the  cause  in  any  tvay,  command  me. 

Sincerely  yours, 

(Signed)  NELSON  T.  MITCHELL,  ’83. 


26 


February  7,  1925. 

Dear  Dr.  McKenzie: 

I was  particularly  solicitous  when  I read 
of  the  latest  crisis  at  Fisk.  I was  afraid  that 
under  the  stress  of  the  moment  you  might 
repudiate  all  of  your  good  endeavors  and  curse 
the  day  that  you  ever  came  to  Fisk.  I was 
very  much  relieved  when  I read  your  state- 
ment to  the  press  still  making  In  that  hour 
of  trial,  a plea  for  Negro  education.  It  takes 
a magnanimous  soul  to  plead  for  those  who 
have  their  sabers  drawn  and  swords  un- 
sheathed ready  to  do  violence  not  only  to  the 
soul  but  even  to  the  body.  Certainly  you 
have  made  yourself  a martyr  for  Negro  educa- 
tion and  you  drink  the  bitter  dregs  of  the 
cup  from  which  most  of  us  are  unable  to 
drink.  Whether  I always  agree  with  your 
method  or  not  I do  agree  with  your  resolute 
purpose  and  I shall  never  be  guilty  of  un- 
friendly criticism.  In  these  critical  hours 
which  try  the  souls  of  men  you  have  my  deep- 
est sympathy  which  I know  that  I can  give. 

Yours  sincerely, 

T.  THOMAS  WARREN,  ’21. 


27 


Fayette  County  Training  School, 
Somerville,  Tenn., 
March  2,  1925. 

Dr.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Dr.  McKenzie: 

I have  just  now  been  able  to  understand  the 
cause  of  the  recent  disturbance  at  Fisk.  I 
feel  compelled  to  offer  you  my  sympathy. 

My  daughter,  Margaret,  who  had  entered 
her  second  year  at  Fisk  when  she  had  to  come 
home  on  account  of  the  illness  which  termi- 
nated in  our  great  loss  of  her,  loved  Fisk. 
The  principles  it  stood  for,  the  kindness  of 
her  teachers,  especially  Miss  Cook,  and  Dr. 
Spencer’s  untiring  efforts  to  help  her,  we 
can  never  forget. 

When  we  sent  our  children  to  Fisk  we  felt 
that  we  knew  what  Fisk  stood  for  in  the  de- 
velopment of  a splendid  class  of  Christian 
men  and  women  whom  the  race  needs.  If  stu- 
dents fail,  it  is  not  because  Fisk  does  not  put 
before  them  high  ideals  of  education,  culture 
and  refinement. 

Your  kindness  and  interest  in  my  little  son, 
when  he  was  there  (for  he  was  very  young), 
his  father  and  I appreciate.  It  is  hard  for 
youth  to  understand  why  teachers  and  parents 
have  to  set  a standard  for  them  to  go  by. 
It  is  no  uncommon  thing  for  leaders  to  be 
misunderstood  and  misquoted. 

It  is  no  uncommon  thing  for  students  to  be 
misled,  and  grasp  at  shining  air  bubbles  that 
burst  when  touched. 

We  as  leaders  are  not  infallible  but  I am 
certain  that  no  man  in  your  position,  ap- 
proached properly,  will  fail  to  give  a reason- 
able hearing  to  a matter  presented  properly. 

I regret  that  the  young  men  who  stepped 
aside,  had  not  more  experience  with  the  prob- 
lems of  their  parents.  I regret  that  they  do 
not  know  human  nature. 

The  trouble  with  most  schools  is  timidity 
in  the  handling  of  socializing.  Study  and  so- 
cializing were  not  meant  to  go  together. 

Sometimes  our  daughters  are  of  a serious 
temperament,  and  school  life  to  them  means 
much,  others  have  to  be  taught  that  “Life  is 
real  and  Life  is  earnest.” 


28 


Fisk  has  always  been  to  my  mind  the  ideal 
school  for  the  chosen  few  of  the  race  who 
might  be  able  to  meet  the  requirements.  It 
does  not  deserve  to  be  viciously  attacked.  It 
does  not  deserve  to  be  misrepresented.  Its  in- 
fluence over  the  race  has  been  too  far-reaching 
and  of  too  long  standing. 

It  is  the  duty  of  every  parent  to  support 
Fisk  who  ever  sent  a child  there,  and  who 
has  ever  been  there  to  see  the  painstaking 
care  of  those  in  charge. 

Parents  must  realize  that  their  children  are 
not  free  from  mistakes  and  not  uphold  them 
in  wrong  but  line  them  up  to  be  obedient,  re- 
spectful and  studious,  and  if  they  are  that, 
seldom  will  any  trouble  arise  that  cannot  be 
amicably  adjusted. 

I write  this  because  I feel  it  my  duty  to 
one  who  was  very  kind  to  my  children  at  Fisk 
University,  and  I am  certain  that  in  order  to 
develop  proper  leaders  of  the  race  out  of 
our  pupils,  parents,  teachers  and  pupils  must 
work  together. 

God  never  puts  on  us  more  than  we  can 
bear.  When  one  is  sure  that  he  is  right,  he 
can  only  go  ahead,  and  “the  peace  of  God 
which  passeth  all  understanding’’  will  keep 
you  in  all  your  ways. 

Very  sincerely, 

(Signed)  MRS.  W.  P.  WARE, 
Jeanes  Supervisor. 

Mother  of  two  former  students. 

Somerville,  Tenn.  • 


29 


Agnes  Irwin  School, 
Lancaster,  Ky., 
March  2,  1925.' 

Dr.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Fisk  University. 

My  dear  Dr.  McKenzie  and  to  whom  it  may 
concern: 

The  seriousness  of  the  situation  at  Fisk 
was  called  to  my  attention  by  an  article  in 
the  Courier-Journal. 

Dr.  McKenzie,  please  accept  my  sympathy 
for  your  distress,  and  the  seeming  lack  of 
gratitude  on  the  part  of  those  whom  you  are 
trying  to  help  most. 

As  to  the  general  situation,  it  appears  to 
me  that  the  Negro  is  on  trial  as  never  before 
to  prove  himself  capable  and  deserving  of 
the  best  in  education.  Having  been  given  a 
million  dollars  for  the  best  academic  instruc- 
tion, the  younger  generation  are  about  to 
prove  that  the  confidence  expressed  thereby 
was  misplaced.  It  therefore  devolves  upon 
Fisk’s  thousand  alumni  to  prove  themselves 
by  rallying  to  Dr.  McKenzie’s  support,  and 
from  what  I know  of  them  I believe  they  will 
do  so. 

Any  information  on  the  situation,  especi- 
ally as  to  the  thinking  of  the  alumni,  will 
be  gladly  received.  In  all  things  you  may 
count  on  my  heartiest  sympathy  and  co-opera- 
tion. 


Yours  for  the  cause, 

(Signed)  SARAH  E.  WITHERS,  ’08. 


30 


STATE  OF  ILLINOIS 
Division  of  Insurance 


Springfield,  Illinois, 
February  20,  1925. 

Prof.  Dora  A.  Scribner, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Miss  Scribner: 

Have  just  finished  reading  your  letter  en- 
closed with  the  statement  of  the  President, 
sent  from  the  President’s  office.  How  helpful 
it  is  at  this  time,  as  you  were  always  a help 
and  strength  to  us  all.  Am  very  much 
tempted  to  run  do\Vn  and  talk  to  you  for  a 
minute,  for  if  I could  get  away  at  this  time 
conveniently,  that  is  what  I would  like  to  do. 

So  much  has  been  said,  and  so  much  is 
at  stake  that  to  see  you,  Miss  Parmenter,  and 
Miss  Cook  would  help  me  so  much. 

People  are  changing  so  and  the  young  peo- 
ple are  so  disappointed  in  the  changes,  that 
they  can  not  adjust  themselves  happily  to  con- 
ditions. This  is  true  North  as  well  as  South. 
It  is  true  of  the  office  of  the  Division  of  In- 
surance at  the  Capitol  Building  here  where 
I am  beginning  my  ninth  year  the  first  of 
March.  The  spirit  in  here  has  changed  very 
much  since  I have  been  here.  People  in  so 
many  places  seem  to  have  lost  sight  of  their 
ideals. 

Thank  you  for  sharing  that  beautiful  let- 
ter with  others  of  us  of  the  alumni.  Presi- 
dent McKenzie  I do  not  know,  only  to  meet. 
I am  continuing  to  pray  for  Fisk  during  this 
crisis  and  for  you  and  the  others  there  that 
we  love  so  dearly,  and  who  have  helped  to 
shape  the  good  in  us  for  life  and  for  ser- 
vice. 

Very  sincerly, 

(Signed)  ALICE  WILLIAMS  TABORN,  Col., 
’10. 

904  S.  College  St.,  Springfield,  Illinois. 


31 


tfiJJl  TO  3TA1 

cl i,  t:'.  jo  n.ciei v:< 


THE  GALVESTON  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS 

West  District  School 

W.  N.  Cummings,  Principal 

1823  Avenue  K, 
Galveston,  Texas, 
March  4,  1925. 

Dr.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

President,  Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Dr.  McKenzie: 

I hope  that  the  higher  powers  will  uphold 
you  in  your  stand  for  moral  righteousness. 

You  have  my  full  sympathy. 

Yours  very  truly, 

(Signed)  W.  N.  CUMMINGS,  N.,  ’82. 


32 


ni!9l  ,eidmi/IoO 
I ,{■  rf  i'isM 


.eisneHoM  .A.  .H  .fo-iT 

392  S.  Lauderdale  St., 
Memphis,  Term., 

March  4,  1925. 

Dr.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

President  of  Fisk  University. 

, V j i ' ‘ "tV 

Dear  Friend: 

lo  ai  rt'iri : ynr/li  -ly.J.  ri  . . 

I have  received  a letter  from  Miss  Scribner, 
also  a pamphlet  concerning  the  recent  trouble 
at  Fisk.  I regret  very  much  that  such  an 
affair  was  possible  at  our  great  University. 
I love  the  institution,  and  hope  nothing  has, 
or  ever  shall  happen  to  hinder  its  progress. 

“Fret  not  thyself  because  of  evil-doers, — 
Delight  thyself  also  in  the  Lord,  and  he  shall 
give  thee  the  desires  of  thine  heart.” — Bible. 

You  have  my  sympathy  and  prayer  that  the 
trouble  may  be  amicably  adjusted,  and  no 
harm  may  come  to  the  University  because  of 

it. 

Very  truly, 

Yours  for  success  of  Fisk, 

(Signed)  V.  W.  BROUGHTON,  ’75. 

.murti-.'i  1 . ..  1 sdi  Jc  yjiiorMus  to  Jnorn 


,h.Tji‘i) 


(1  t be ) 


33 


Columbia,  Tenn., 

March  4,  1925. 


Prof.  F.  A.  McKenzie. 

Dear  Sir: 

I was  very  glad  to  get  the  leaflet  you  sent 
me,  giving  the  opinions  of  Alumni  and  patrons 
in  regard  to  the  recent  uprising  at  the  Uni- 
versity. 

It  is  very  gratifying  to  the  friends  of  higher 
education  among  the  Negroes  to  know  that 
those  who  have  enjoyed  the  advantages  of 
Fisk,  so  heartily  support  you  in  your  efforts 
to  maintain  high  ideals  and  strict  discipline. 

Some  might  say  that  it  would  have  been 
better  for  you  to  have  taken  the  offensive 
earlier  in  the  session  and  dismissed  the  lead- 
ers of  the  rebellion  before  it  made  such  prog- 
ress; but  I think  you  acted  wisely  in  permit- 
ting matters  to  come  to  a head. 

This  has  been  a very  trying  experience  for 
you,  but  we  are  warned  that  “They  who 
would  live  godly  in  this  present  world  will 
suffer  persecution.” 

Confident  of  your  vindication  by  the  Board 
of  Trustees,  and  in  the  ultimate  re-establish- 
ment of  authority  at  the  University,  I remain. 

Your  friend, 

(Signed)  D.  D.  LITTLE. 


34 


Extract  from  Letter  of  Mrs.  Helen  Ricks  Lon- 
don, ’14,  to  Miss  Scribner. 

March  2,  1925. 

You  know  how  proud  I am  of  Fisk  and  its 
ideals,  and  how  I’ve  always  appreciated  the 
sacrifices  that  have  made  it  the  wonderful 
institution  it  is, — it  must  always  be. 

I am  praying  it  will  all  come  right.  It  will 
— “For  right  prevails.” 

Understand  my  genuine  loyalty  and  devo- 
tion to  its  interests. 

Sincerely, 

(Signed)  HELEN  RICKS  LONDON,  ’14. 


35 


THE  GALVESTON  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS 

East  District  School 

H.  T.  Davis,  Principal. 

Galveston,  Texas, 
March  2,  1925. 

Dr.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

President,  Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Terih. 

My  dear  Dr.  McKenzie: 

I am  always  for  law  and  order.  I regard 
you  and  the  faculty  at  Fisk  as  the  regularly 
constituted  authorities  for  the  preservation 
and  enforcement  of  law  and  order  at  Fisk. 
Whatever  grievances,  imaginary  or  otherwise, 
those  who  come  under  your  authority  may 
have,  these  differences  should  be  settled  in  a 
regular,  lawful  way. 

I was  successful  in  having  parents  keep  two 
students  at  Fisk  until  we  could  hear  from 
you.  You  shall  have  my  support  until  I am 
convinced  you  and  the  faculty  are  wrong. 
Students  have  no  right  to  take  matters  of 
this  kind  in  their  hands  to  settle.  That  is  for 
the  faculty  and  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  do, 
and  I am  reasonably  certain  that  a just  com- 
plaint will  be  listened  to  and  settled  right. 

Yours  sincerely, 

(Signed)  H.  T.  DAVIS,  ’96, 
Principal,  East  District  School. 


36 


J f l>  ,v;ii-  *:>ril  oj  qrj  oauocl  B mid  blind  oJ  Aov 
s'/ kd  I •'•io't9d  Ima  ,ya«  of  mid  idgunJ  svad 
og  ;rr//oL>  ii  adoond  ori  rigid  fnrfi  arioold  arii 
-,ni  7'iy  * wins  Jauiri  I imlt  r/ond  yam  uov 

South  Sioux  City,  Neb., 

February  23,  1925. 

ii'-y  Ifirii  woria  llr.v  uo(  ioi  ,qids  • rfJ  qu  svl/j 

Miss  Dora  Scribner, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

■ r • ■ i i 

My  dear  Miss  Scrjbner: , 

Your  letter  dated  the  14,  1925,  is  received. 
I note  what  you  have  to  say.  I was  once  a 
student  at  Fisk  myself,  as  you  no  doubt  will 
remember,  and  of  course  I am  somewhat  con- 
versant with  the  moods  of  oup  people. 

I had  heard  something  of  the  administra- 
tion at  Fisk  before.  It  seems  that  some  of 
the  alumni  are  not  satisfied  with  some  of  the 
things  that  are  going  on  there,  or  have  been 
done.  I also  saw  in  the  daily  paper  here  in 
Sioux  City,  an  account  of  the  trouble  that  you 
were  having. 

You  may  be  assured  that  my  heart  goes  out 
in  deep  sympathy  for  those  of  you  who  have 
given  your  all  for  the  uplift  of  our  people, 
for  what  more  can  a man  do  than  to  give  his 
life  for  you?  If  the  students  would  conserve 
some  of  that  energy  that  they  are  using  to 
fight  some  of  their  enemies,  perhaps  it  would 
be  more  effective.  We  oftentimes  treat  those 
who  love  us  by  far  worse  than  we  do  those 
that  hate  us. 

I would  not  think  much  of  the  President  if 
he  -had  no  ideas  of  his  own.  Some  seem  to 
complain  because  the  conditions  are  not  as 
they  were  forty  years  ago;  they  even  tell  us 
that  this  old  world  is  a much  different  thing 
from  what  it  used  to  be. 

I am  a very  little  man  and  I know  that  1 
do  not  know  as  much  as  some  of  the  people 
who  are  making  such  a great  furore.  But  I 
refuse  to  follow  them,  for  I must  be  shown 
that  you  mean  to  do,  or  have  done  with  evil 
intent,  the  things  that  have  been  charged.  Of 
course,  perhaps  you  have  done  things  that 
were  not  to  tne  liking  of  some  of  our  finer 
selves,  but  we  often  unintentionally  offend  the 
other  fellow.  I think  that  some  things  are 
real  childish,  and  certainly  not  serious  enough 
to  wreck  Fisk  for,  to  say  the  least.  I have  a 
little  boy  not  quite  two  years  old  and  he  asks 
me  every  evening  when  I come  home  from 


37 


work  to  build  him  a house  up  to  the  sky,  as  I 
have  taught  him  to  say,  and  before  I have 
the  blocks  that  high  he  knocks  it  down;  so 
you  may  know  that  I must  grow  very  im- 
patient. So  you  must  continue  until  you  have 
built  Fisk  University  up  to  the  sky.  Don’t 
give  up  the  ship,  for  you  will  show  that  you 
are  a weakling  if  you  do;  he  that  puts  his 
hand  to  the  plow  and  turns  back  is  not  worthy 
of  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven,  so  I am  told. 

Do  not  let  the  students  run  the  University, 
for  if  you  do  we  do  not  need  you. 

So  with  malice  towrard  none  and  with  char- 
ity for  all,  let  us  strive  to  bind  up  the  w’ounds 
of  our  dear  Alma  Mater. 

Yours  very  truly, 

(Signed)  THOMAS  W.  STEWART,  ’ll. 


38 


DOUGLASS  HIGH  SCHOOL 
Mounds,  Illinois 

March  8,  1925. 

President  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Doctor  McKenzie: 

Quite  recently  I heard  and  read  something 
about  the  trouble  at  Fisk.  My  information  at 
this  time  is  very  meager.  However,  I think 
I can  see  thru  it  all. 

I have  this  to  say:  When  I was  in  dear 

old  Fisk  I could  understand  your  high  ideals 
even  if  I did  fail  to  measure  up  at  times.  I 
knew  that  your  one  great  aim  was  to  raise  the 
University  to  its  highest  possible  attainment. 
I felt  that  the  needs  of  the  University  re- 
quired your  guidance  in  your  own  way.  It  is 
my  belief  that  you  are  as  true-hearted  and 
whole-hearted  as  a man  can  be.  I regret  that 
some  people  do  not  understand  you.  Who  is 
wholly  understood  in  his  greatest  efforts? 
You  are  a real  friend  to  the  needy  and  I do 
not  think  a student  should  go  to  Fisk  who 
does  not  need.  You  make  everything  plain 
enough  to  all  students  who  enter,  therefore 
they  are  wrong  who  refused  your  guidance. 
If  I had  sons  and  daughters  I would  send  all 
of  them  to  Fisk,  for  Fisk  stands  for  the  high- 
est ideals.  You  are  my  ideal  president,  Dr. 
McKenzie. 

Best  wishes  for  your  continued  success,  I 
am, 

Very  truly  yours, 


(Signed)  C.  W.  RANSOM,  ’21. 


604  N.  Kelham  St., 
Oklahoma  City,  Okla., 
March  2,  1925. 

Dr.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Fisk  University,  . , r ■-  , 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  President  McKenzie: 

It  has  been  my  whole  determination  to 
write  you  since  the  outbreak  of  the  student- 
body  there,  for  I have  an  interest  over  there, 
but  have  been  listening  with  hope  to  hear  that 
the  students  had  returned  as  they  considered 
what  they  were  losing.  Now  I trust  that 
everything  is  going  well  again. 

I was  so  sorry  to  know  that  just  a few 
smart  boys  wanted  to  have  things  their  way 
in  the  administration  of  the  school,  and  caused 
all  of  this  shame  and  disgrace  to  come  upon 
such  a high  and  noble  University  as  Fisk. 
And  here,  Dr.  McKenzie,  rest  assured  that  you 
have  our  co-operation  and  sympathy. 

I have  been  busy  writing  my  boy  letters  of 
consolation  and  instruction  as  all  parents 
should  do.  Home  training  means  much  to 
our  boys  and  girls;  home  is  the  place  to  shape 
the  destiny  of  our  children,  for  as  they  are  at 
home,  so  they  go  out  from  home. 

I was  on  the  campus  at  Fisk  last  May  and 
was  greatly  enthused.  Everything  was  fine. 
I certainly  enjoyed  my  short  visit  there  and 
was  treated  with  great  courtesy  by  the  Presi- 
dent and  faculty. 

So  let  us  impress  upon  you  our  congratula- 
tions in  your  firm  stand  for  the  administra- 
tion of  Fisk  University. 

Yours  truly, 

(Signed)  MR.  and  MRS.  ABRAHAM  WARD 
(parents  of  a student). 

R.  10,  Box  155. 

P.S. : We  are  proud  to  know  that  Herod 

was  so  much  for  the  principles  of  right  that 
(as  he  wrote  us)  in  spite  of  the  walk-out  of 
students,  he  remained  in  school.  We  feel 
proud  of  him. 


40 


W.  A.  RAYFIELD  & CO., 

Architects 

Birmingham,  Ala., 

March  2,  1925. 

Dr.  F.  A.  McKenzie, 

Fisk  University, 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Dear  Dr.  McKenzie: 

I have  been  reading  with  much  interest  the 
several  reports  about  the  disturbance  at  Fisk. 
I am  glad  to  know  that  things  are  shaping 
themselves  in  better  form  for  a greater  Fisk. 
As  a teacher  for  eight  years  at  Tuskegee 
Institute,  I know  what  it  means  by  discipline 
and  leader  for  young  men  and  women.  While 
I am  a graduate  of  Howard  University,  there 
has  always  been  a sympathy  for  Fisk  and  At- 
lanta, and  the  stand  you  took  for  order  and 
principles  of  Fisk  was  correct.  My  daughter 
would  have  been  in  Fisk  today  if  there  had 
been  a place  for  her  in  your  institution,  and 
we  both  (Mrs.  Rayfield  and  myself)  have  re- 
gretted many  times  that  the  school  was 
filled,  and  we  sent  her  elsewhere.  Fisk  stands 
for  Christian  principles  and  is  so  well  located 
for  our  people  in  the  South. 

Allow  us  to  extend  to  you  our  co-operation 
in  your  effort  to  bring  the  great  principles  of 
Fisk  as  you  see  them.  We  are  with  you,  and 
if  we  can  be  of  any  help  to  you,  call  on  us. 

With  our  best  wishes  for  your  position. 

Yours  very  truly, 

(Signed)  W.  A.  RAYFIELD, 

Architect. 

(Graduate  of  Howard  University.) 


41 


Spelman  College, 

Atlanta,  Ga., 
March  2,  1925. 

My  dear  Dr.  McKenzie: 

Just  a line  from  a graduate  to  express  to 
you  my  deepest  regret  in  the  very  unfortu- 
nate affair  at  Fisk.  Congratulations  to  the 
students  who  had  the  manhood  and  woman- 
hood to  stay  at  their  posts. 

I heartily  approve  of  the  administration  and 
the  discipline  it  stands  for.  May  God  give  you 
the  courage  and  fortitude  to  carry  on  the 
great  work  you  planned. 

Very  sincerely  yours, 

(Signed) 

MRS.  MADELINE  SMITH  DAVIS,  ’14. 


42 


NEWS  ITEMS 


! 

) 

} 


FISK  SUPPORTER’S  PROPERTY  BURNED 


Evidence  Found  of  Oiled  Rags  in  Destroyed 
Automobile 


Dr.  W.  W.  Sumlin,  Negro  physician,  who 
supported  the  faculty  of  Fisk  University  at 
a public  mass  meeting  held  following  a strike 
of  students  at  the  school,  reported  this  morn- 
ing that  another  attempt  had  been  made  “to 
burn  him  out”  when  his  automobile  and 
garage  were  destroyed  by  fire  at  3 o’clock 
this  morning.  He  resides  at  1710  Jefferson 
Street. 

Dr.  Sumlin  said  he  returned  from  a call  at 
12:30  o’clock  and  put  his  car  in  the  garage. 
About  3 o’clock  he  was  awakened  by  smoke 
entering  the  house.  He  said  he  made  an  in- 
vestigation and  found  traces  of  oiled  rags 
that  had  been  thrown  in  his  car  and  ignited. 

Directly  after  Dr.  Sumlin  issued  a state- 
ment censuring  the  striking  students  of  Fisk 
for  their  action  the  first  attempt  was  made 
to  burn  his  home.  The  fire  was  extinguished, 
however,  before  any  appreciable  damage  was 
done. 

The  physician  said  the  attempts  to  fire  his 
property  had.  not  changed  his  attitude  and 
that  now  he  was  just  as  much  for  what  was 
right  as  at  first. 

(The  Nashville  Banner,  Feb.  27,  1925) 


43 


UPHOLDS  PRESIDENT  OF  FISK 
UNIVERSITY 


Dr.  W.  F.  Waters  Issues  Statement  Regarding 
Rebellion  at  Institution 


The  following  statement  with  respect  to  the 
recent  student  rebellion  at  Fisk  University, 
has  been  issued  by  Dr.  W.  F.  Waters,  former 
secretary  of  the  Rock  City  Academy  of  Medi- 
cine, and  himself  a graduate  of  three  colleges. 

“Since  the  Fisk  rebellion,  resulting  in  the 
destruction  of  property  belonging  to  the  uni- 
versity, and  threats  and  attempted  intimida- 
tion against  a citizen,  and  destruction  of 
property  belonging  to  him,  because  of  his 
stand  in  defense  of  law  and  order,  I have  held 
my  peace  though  conscious  of  the  fact  that  it 
was  my  duty  to  speak  out.  But  desiring  to 
be  perfectly  fair  to  all  and  believing  that  pub- 
lic statements  should  be  made  after  due  de- 
liberation, and  considerately,  dispassionately 
and  without  prejudice,  I thought  that  until 
the  fire  of  passion  and  the  whirlwind  of  con- 
fusion which  swept  before  the  cave  in  which 
the  man  was  secluded  the  still  voice  of  rea- 
son would  not  be  heard. 

“The  Fisk  incident  has  been  much  dis- 
cussed both  pro  and  con  and  many  causes 
given  of  the  trouble.  But  so  far  as  I know 
the  one  deep  and  underlying  cause  of  the 
trouble  at  Fisk  has  not  been  dealt  with.  It 
is  this:  The  deep  undercurrents  of  the  sea 
of  humanity,  as  manifested  by  the  tendencies 
of  the  times,  that  steadily  and  progressively 
move  on  toward  universal  democracy.  Stu- 
dents of  affairs  must  take  knowledge  of  these 
currents  and  tendencies.  Autocrats  in  all 
forms  of  government,  whether  in  church, 
schools,  or  state,  cannot  longer  permanently 
exist — and  not  even  can  an  autocratic  family 
government  be  peacefully  maintained  to- 
day. The  recognition  of  and  insistence  upon 
the  principle  basic  of  governments  that  they 
derive  their  just  powers  from  the  consent  of 
the  government  today  both  unsatisfactory  and 
unstable.  Students  of  universities  are  no  ex- 
ceptions in  this  respect  to  humanity  outside 
these  institutions,  and  while  the  citizens  not 
in  school  insist  that  taxation  without  repre- 
sentation is  tyranny,  those  within  schools  to- 
day think  that  education  without  representa- 
tion is  tyranny.  Such  facts  must  be  faced, 
however  undesirable  they  may  seem  to  edu- 


44 


cators.  These  tendencies  then  toward  pure 
democracy  led  the  Fisk  students,  as  they 
have  those  of  other  universities,  to  seek  to 
put  into  practical  application  the  basic  gov- 
ernmental principle  mentioned  above,  and 
with  ambitions  fired  by  the  exploits  of  re- 
former's, martyrs  and  heroes  both  true  and  so- 
called,  about  whom  they  had  been  studying 
in  books,  possessed  with  a zeal  which  was  not 
according  to  knowledge,  they  went  about  to 
establish  their  own  government,  not  submit- 
ting themselves  unto  the  government  of  the 
university.  These  fundamental  principles  of 
government  will  have  to  be  finally  taken  into 
account  in  school  as  well  as  state,  for  school- 
ing is  nothing  unless  it  be  a training  in  citi- 
zenship. 

“I  have  taught  in  colleges  and  am  in  the 
deepest  sympathy  with  faculties  and  their 
heads;  I have  pursued  courses  in  several  col- 
leges, graduating  from  three  institutions 
of  learning  and  thus,  being  longer  a stu- 
dent than  a teacher,  I am  also  greatly  in  sym- 
pathy with  students  and  love  them  in  honor 
because  of  their  destiny  in  the  state  and  in 
society  at  large.  These  facts  are  not  cited 
in  extentuation  of  acts  of  violence  com- 
mitted by  students,  for  it  is  evident  that  au- 
thority of  heads  of  schools  are  of  prime  im- 
portance, and  law  and  order  must  be  rigidly 
maintained.  Even  should  it  be  granted  that 
in  some  of  the  demands  of  the  Fisk  students 
who  rebelled  against  rightful  rule  there  was 
a measure  of  reasonableness,  the  methods 
they  employed  in  attempting  to  reach  their 
desires  were  rebellious  and  revolutionary  and 
therefore  most  decidedly  unreasonable,  un- 
patriotic and  wrong.  Should  they  have  ob- 
tained their  demands  through  such  means  the 
very  fact  that  they  did  so  through  riot  and 
violence  would  have  shown  these  particular 
persons  unfit  to  advise  with  the  faculty  re- 
garding school  rules  and  laws.  But  it  must 
be  borne  in  mind  that  the  fact  that  these 
rebels  of  Fisk  were  not  capable  of  representa- 
tion in  the  government  of  the  university  does 
not  conclude  that  there  are  or  were  not  other 
students  whose  advice  and  counsel  might  not 
be  worth  while. 

“Now,  I wish  it  to  be  most  distinctly  un- 
derstood that  I am  in  hearty  accord  with 
President  McKenzie  in  the  firm  and  just  stand 
he  was  forced  to  take  in  matters  at  Fisk. 
He  did  what  he  thought  best  and  in  the  best 
way  he  felt  it  ought  to  have  been  done.  Who 
would  dare  do  less  as  a president  of  a college? 
Any  one  reading  or  hearing  the  chapel  con- 
versations given  the  students  during  this  try- 


45 


ing  time  at  Fisk  cannot  help  but  see  that  Dr. 
McKenzie’s  heart  is  right.  He  has  the  ten- 
derness of  a father  toward  the  students;  the 
spirit  of  a martyr,  and  the  disposition  of  the 
Son  of  God,  the  lowly  Nazarene. 

“He  and  his  faculty  working  together  with 
his  committee  of  a greater  Fisk,  shall  cer- 
tainly bring  on  the  happy  time  when  this 
famed  and  faithful  university  shall  indeed  be 
a greater  Fisk  with  greater  privileges  for 
students,  greater  loyalty  upon  their  part, 
greater  appreciation  of  the  faculty  and 
its  head,  greater  wealth  at  its  command, 
and  greater  realms  in  manhood  and  woman- 
hood produced  through  God  for  humanity. 
Noble  gentle  benefactor  and  friend  of  both 
thy  race  and  mine,  ready  are  we  not  only 
to  give  expressions  of  endorsement  and  ap- 
preciation of  thee  and  thy  great  work  of  love, 
but  to  stand  back  of  thee  with  every  power 
that  we  can  command  even  unto  death  if  need 
be. 

“DR.  W.  F.  WATERS.” 
(The  Nashville  Banner,  March  4,  1925) 


46 


-STATE  BEGINS  INVESTIGATION  OF 
BLAZE  AT  FISK 


Probe  Will  Continue  Several  Days,  Say 
Officials. 


An  investigation  of  the  fire  which  damaged 
the  cafeteria  and  book  store  at  Fisk  Univer- 
sity Wednesday  night,  was  started  Thursday 
by  the  state  fire  prevention  department. 

Deputies  from  the  state  department  re- 
mained on  the  ground  throughout  the  morn- 
ing and  reported  that  many  persons  in  the 
vicinity  were  quizzed  concerning  the  fire. 

Deputies  who  visited  the  scene  declined  to 
give  their  opinion  of  the  fire,  but  announced 
that  the  investigation  would  probably  last 
several  days. 

That  the  fire  was  of  incendiary  origin  was 
the  opinion  expressed  by  certain  officials  of 
the  city  who  are  assisting  the  state  authori- 
ties in  their  investigation. 

A recent  strike  of  students  at  the  univer- 
sity, caused  by  the  refusal  of  Dr.  McKenzie 
to  resign  as  head  of  the  institution,  furnished 
grounds  for  investigating  the  fire,  officials  of 
the  state  department  said. 

Recently  a near  riot  was  caused  at  the 
school,  resulting  in  the  dismissal  of  several 
students  and  bringing  about  the  strike. 

The  fire,  which  caused  only  a loss  of  about 
$1,800,  was  discovered  by  a student  return- 
ing to  one  of  the  dormitories  shortly  after  9 
p.  m. 

When  the  flames  were  extinguished,  a num- 
ber of  students  in  sympathy  with  President 
McKenzie  stood  guard  over  the  burned  area 
Wednesday  night. 

Dr.  McKenzie  was  non-committal  when 
asked  if  he  believed  the  fire  of  incendiary  ori- 
gin. 

(From  The  Nashville  Evening  Tennessean, 

March  5,  1925) 


47 


FISK  SUPPORTER  STRUCK  ON  HEAD 


Dr.  W.  F.  Waters,  Negro  dentist,  900 
Twelfth  Avenue,  South,  reported  to  the  police 
department  that  he  was  assaulted  and  ren- 
dered unconscious  Thursday  night  at  11 
o’clock  on  Grand  Avenue,  near  Thirteenth 
Avenue..  Dr.  Waters  says  he  was  passing  the 
mouth  of  an  alley  when  some  one  jumped  out 
and  hit  him  over  the  head  with  a blunt  instru- 
ment. He  was  rendered  unconscious  and  it 
was  more  than  an  hour  before  he  recovered 
and  called  for  help.  With  the  exception  of 
the  blow  on  the  head,  Dr.  Waters  was  un- 
injured. He  was  not  robbed. 

Dr.  Waters  is  one  of  the  Negro  leaders  of 
the  city  who  has  supported  the  side  of  the 
faculty  at  Fisk  University  following  the  re- 
cent walkout  of  a majority  of  the  students. 

(From  The  Nashville  Banner,  March  6,  1925) 


m 


